October

Ashwin Navaratri

Ashwin Navaratri conducted from the 8th to 16th October was a wonderful opportunity for thousands of devotees and aspirants to join this powerful anushthana at the tapobhoomi of Swami Satyananda, which included worship of Sri Rama with the Navaan Parayan of Ramacharitamanas and worship of the Divine Mother.

During this anushthana the blessings of all the gods and goddesses were invoked and prayers and worship was offered to the divine soul, Swami Satyananda, whose inspiration continues to touch our lives in a very special way. Each morning the devotees were blessed to have darshan of Swami Satyananda's Samadhi Sthal, which enabled them to connect with the all pervading guru shakti and the eternal grace of Swami Satyananda.

A feature of this anushthana was the daily worship of Sri Yantra, the supreme manifestation of Devi. During this most sacred pooja the entire Saundarya Lahari was chanted and the kanyas performed the sacred Sri Vidya Pooja. Swami Satyananda had said that this Sri Vidya Pooja is one of the highest sadhanas as the power of the Cosmic Shakti is invoked and worshipped in the form of the Sri Yantra. The Sri Yantra is now a feature of Rikhiapeeth that has the power to bestow grace and blessings on all who are blessed with its darshan.

The final four days of the anushthana were presided over by Swami Niranjanananda, which was a highlight for all as his constant encouragement, guidance and blessings made it an event to remember. Hundreds of aspirants were fortunate to receive mantra, jignasu and karma sannyasa initiation from Swami Niranjanananda on 15th October at the Samadhi Sthal of Swami Satyananda.

Ashwin Navaratri Anushthana in Greece

This year for the first time during the sacred Navaratri, Peethadhishwari Swami Satyasangananda, who has been conducting the celebrations at Rikhiapeeth for the past so many years, was not present. Instead, at the mandate of her guru, Swami Satyananda, she traveled to Greece to conduct a very successful Navaratri anushthana for hundreds of devotees and spiritual aspirants in Greece. The nine day seminar on 'Know Thyself through Yoga', attended by over eight hundred participants, ended with a ceremony to commemorate the 25 years of the Greek ashram, where so many years ago in 1985 Swami Satyasangananda had accompanied her guru, Swami Satyananda, when he had inaugurated the ashram and lit the lamp of yoga. During the anushthana the power of the Cosmic Mother was invoked through havan, worship, kirtan and bhakti, and this awakened power will continue to manifest and transform the lives of millions not only in Greece, but throughout the world.

Chakra Sadhana Course

Since the beginning of time, tantrics and yogis have realized the immense potential force available within the human body, known as kundalini. This ancient wisdom is now accessible to all through the Chakra Sadhana Course, an intensive sadhana course conducted annually at Rikhiapeeth, which is aimed at and tailored for spiritual growth and evolution.

This comprehensive residential course was conducted at Rikhiapeeth from 20th to 29th October by Swami Muktidharma and Swami Karmakaruna of Anahata Yoga Retreat, New Zealand. Their extensive experience in conducting such courses enabled participants to systematically experience the chakras and prana through asana, pranayama and meditation. Sincere aspirants from all corners of the globe gathered at Rikhiapeeth to learn and practice this higher sadhana.

The course provided guidance and instruction into the deeper dimensions, both practical and theoretical, of a wide spectrum of yogic practices. Sadhakas gained immense benefits in the spiritually charged environment of the tapobhoomi of Swami Satyananda, as it is conducive to spiritual growth and fosters personal development. In a short span of time aspirants gained what would otherwise take years of sadhana, as the divine vibrations that abound at Rikhiapeeth propel the sadhaka forwards on the spiritual path.

Students were fortunate to have satsang with Swami Satyasangananda, who revealed many subtle aspects of these techniques that were previously shrouded in mystery and cleared many of the questions and doubts that block spiritual growth and development.